Yejong of Goryeo

Yejong of Goryeo
Hangul	예종
Hanja
Revised Romanization	Yejong
McCune–Reischauer	Yejong
Birth name
Hangul	왕우
Hanja	王俁
Revised Romanization	Wang U
McCune–Reischauer	Wang U
Courtesy name
Hangul	세민
Hanja	世民
Revised Romanization	Semin
McCune–Reischauer	Semin

Monarchs of Korea Goryeo

Taejo 918–943 Hyejong 943–945 Jeongjong 945–949 Gwangjong 949–975 Gyeongjong 975–981 Seongjong 981–997 Mokjong 997–1009 Hyeonjong 1009–1031 Deokjong 1031–1034 Jeongjong II 1034–1046 Munjong 1046–1083 Sunjong 1083 Seonjong 1083–1094 Heonjong 1094–1095 Sukjong 1095–1105 Yejong 1105–1122 Injong 1122–1146 Uijong 1146–1170 Myeongjong 1170–1197 Sinjong 1197–1204 Huijong 1204–1211 Gangjong 1211–1213 Gojong 1213–1259 Wonjong 1259–1269 Yeongjong1269 Wonjong 1269–1274 Chungnyeol 1274–1308 Chungseon 1308–1313 Chungsuk 1313–1330 1332–1339 Chunghye 1330–1332 1339–1344 Chungmok 1344–1348 Chungjeong 1348–1351 Gongmin 1351–1374 U 1374–1388 Chang 1388–1389 Gongyang 1389–1392

Yejong of Goryeo (11 February 1079 – 15 May 1122) (r. 1105–1122) was the 16th monarch of the Korean Goryeo dynasty. He was the eldest son of King Sukjong and Queen Myeongui, and succeeded to the throne upon his father's death. Yejong's reign was a period of strengthening of the central administration, a strong army, the development of education and arts, and a high point of Buddhist and Daoist spirituality.

Since the reign of Munjong the dominant position among governing aristocracy was held by the Kyeongweon (or Inju (Inchon)) clan of Yi. Led by king's father-in-law Yi Cha-gyeom they produced the largest number of high officials. Local administration was in hands of local aristocratic families.

Goryeo rulers made several attempts to increase the central control by adapting Tang-style system of local administration. The decree of 1106 created a division of the country into eight circuits, each headed by an anchalsa (appointed governor), forming the basis of the modern provincial divisions of Korea.

Yejong acted to strengthen the royal authority. King's brothers, Prince Po (Taebang-kong) and Prince Hyo (Taeweon-hu) were his consistent supporters and opponents of Yi. Yejong advanced men unrelated to Yi Cha-Gyeom, both from the established aristocratic families and representatives of the local elites. Kim Bu-sik and his brothers (of the Kyeongju Kim clan) were among the former; Han Anin and his brothers, and their allies of the Cheongan Im (including Im Weonae, a future father in law of King Injong) clan were among the latter. They were to play an increasingly prominent role during the latter part of the Yejong's reign.

The civil examination (kwangeo) system as a pathway to high office was significantly expanded to this end. Introduced in 958 by Gwangjong it was fashioned after the Tang dynasty civil examinations, but differed from it in a number of important aspects. It was closed to commoners, and instead of undermining the old landowning aristocracy it helped to transform it into a service nobility. The exam-based promotion also had the effect of establishing the loyalty of officials to the ruler. During Yejong's reign a yearly average 22.5 candidates passed the examinations, double the number during the reign of King Munjong. (the total number of successful candidates in all 252 exams given until 1894 was about 6,500)

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